Germany and other EU countries are facing a tense gas supply situation due to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. In view of the gas shortage that has been artificially created by Russia, the EU Member States have committed to reducing their gas consumption by at least 15% from August 2022 compared with their average consumption in the last five years. This is necessary to prevent a general gas shortage. As Germany has been particularly dependent on Russian gas in the last few years, the country needs to reduce its consumption by 20%. In order to attain this goal and in particular to secure the supply of heat during the heating periods this winter and the coming winter, the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action has proposed further energy saving measures on the basis of the Energy Security of Supply Act (Energiesicherungsgesetz, EnSiG). This includes the reduction of the minimum temperature in the workplace to 19 degrees Celsius – both in the public and the private sectors. In addition, gas suppliers and landlords must inform their customers and tenants from autumn about their estimated gas consumption, and the resulting costs and possible saving potential respectively.

Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action Robert Habeck said:
"The German Federal Government is vigorously pursuing its policy to become independent of Russian gas supplies. We are pressing ahead with the construction of LNG terminals, making sure that the gas storage facilities are filled by providing funding totalling billions, and are acting as a shareholder in one of Germany’s largest gas importers. All of this contributes considerably to securing security of supply. But we also need to save much more gas: in the public administration, in companies, and in as many private households as possible.

"We need a combined national effort and close interaction involving the government, business and society, including the Federal Government, the Länder, municipalities, social partners, trade unions, the skilled crafts, associations and civil society. Every contribution counts."